Labor Day weekend is Utah Valley's last full weekend of summer, and it comes with its own set of traditions: a Swiss village fair in Midway, an onion festival in Payson that goes back to 1929, the last swim of the season, and the State Fair right behind it. This guide lays out the 2027 weekend, with Labor Day on Monday, September 6, and the traffic and crowds to plan around.
The weekend's festivals
- Swiss Days, Midway. The Friday and Saturday before Labor Day, every year; in 2027 that rule gives September 3 and 4. It is one of Utah's largest festivals, in a town of a few thousand, about 42 minutes from Provo. See Midway Swiss Days.
- Golden Onion Days, Payson. Payson has spent Labor Day weekend the same way since 1929, and because the festival follows Labor Day, its dates move each year. See Payson Golden Onion Days.
- Thanksgiving Point. Thanksgiving Point in Lehi has marked the holiday with a Labor Day Luau; check its calendar for the year's details.
Right behind the weekend, the Utah State Fair opens on the Thursday after Labor Day and runs eleven days, which in 2027 would put opening day on September 9. See the Utah State Fair From Utah Valley.
The last swim
Utah Valley's outdoor municipal pools and splash pads generally run from around Memorial Day to around Labor Day, with variation by city and by whether a facility can staff lifeguards that year. For many families, Labor Day weekend is the last chance of the season, so check your city's pool schedule before you pack the car. See Where to Swim in Utah Valley and Utah Valley's Splash Pads.
The lakes and reservoirs
The reservoirs are at their busiest on holiday weekends. Deer Creek and Jordanelle, up Provo Canyon, and Tibble Fork, up American Fork Canyon, draw crowds, and parking can fill early. Go early in the morning or plan a weekday instead. For a family picnic closer to home, city park pavilions are the other holiday tradition; see Pavilion and Park Reservations in Utah County. See Deer Creek and Jordanelle Reservoirs and Tibble Fork Reservoir.
Traffic and transit
- The roads. In past years UDOT has warned of heavy outbound traffic on I-15 through Salt Lake and Utah counties on the Friday afternoon before Labor Day and heavy northbound return traffic on the Monday, and has suspended most construction statewide over the weekend. Leave early or late.
- The trains and buses. In recent years UTA has run FrontRunner and its buses on a Saturday schedule on Labor Day; check UTA's holiday page for the year's schedule.
- School. Labor Day is a school holiday.
For families on a budget
Several summer deals end with the holiday. Free admission for active military families through the Blue Star Museums program runs from mid-May to Labor Day at participating attractions; see Free Museum and Attraction Days for Utah Families. For a farm morning instead of a festival, see Kid-Friendly Farms and Petting Zoos in Utah Valley.
Practical notes
- Swiss Days is Friday and Saturday. It is over before Labor Day itself.
- Check the pools. Many close for the season after the weekend.
- Beat the reservoir crowds. Arrive early, or pick a weekday.
- Plan the Monday drive. The return traffic is heaviest then.
Related Guides
- Midway Swiss Days
- Payson Golden Onion Days
- The Utah State Fair From Utah Valley
- Where to Swim in Utah Valley
- Easter and Spring Break Week in Utah Valley
- Free Museum and Attraction Days for Utah Families
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Labor Day 2027?
When is Swiss Days in 2027?
When does the Utah State Fair start in 2027?
Do pools and splash pads close after Labor Day?
Does FrontRunner run on Labor Day?
How old is Payson's Onion Days?
When is Labor Day weekend traffic worst?
Which reservoirs are busiest on Labor Day weekend?
